Re: How are these Japanese luxury brands doing these days?

"Ice" <iceplanet2@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> This someone who has determined he is a DRIVER because of the
advertising
> that is aimed at simple souls such as himself .  European cars rely on
their
> aloof snob appeal knowing full well that their quality and reliability
can
> not match that of Japanese and in many cases American vehicles.

Snob appeal is alive and well, both with European brands, and with
Japanese, too.  Big surprise: the luxury segment is *defined* by snob
appeal to some extent.  You think a Cadillac Escalade owner isn't feeling
snobbish?  You think that idiotic Hummer driver doesn't think he's the
man?

People don't buy Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, ****sche, or
even Audi because of "utilitarianism" or "value".  They buy them because
they feel they're getting something beyond the ordinary, and they can
pay the price.

But pretty much every one of these brands is aiming for certain market
niches,
in many cases slightly differentiated from each other by subtle
"leanings".

Anyone who's been awake for the last decade (and who isn't delusional)
*knows* that Lexus has staked out a territory defined by certain
characteristics:

a) perceived high reliability and build quality
b) isolation from the driving experience
c) enough performance to placate owners who prefer "b)"
d) exclusivity and snob appeal
e) market segment-competitive "electronics"

Have you even watched a single Lexus commerical?  Yes, there are some
that seem to stress performance, but how about the ES series?  Oh look,
the robots are sensuously fondling the car.  Oh look, not a bit of sound
intrudes upon your driving experience.  Oh look, I don't have to know
how to parallel park (LS).  Some "driver's car".  Give me a break.

I doubt the typical BMW owner ranks "reliability" tops.  They sure as
hell wouldn't rank "isolation" high either.  Their electronics, in terms
of I-Drive, are almost universally reviled.  But performance?
Got a Lexus you'd like to line up against an M3?

I have an Acura.  If I could afford it, I might look at a BMW or Mercedes.
A Lexus doesn't ring my chimes: too Buick-like.  Sorry.
But that's my opinion, and hopefully you're not too insecure in *your*
purchase decision to get upset about it.